[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 126 (Wednesday, September 9, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S9179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING DAVID A. BAKER

 Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I wish to express my sympathy 
over the loss of Newton, NH, Deputy Fire Chief David A. Baker. 
Following more than five decades of distinguished public service, 
Deputy Baker lost his battle with cancer.
  Deputy Baker exemplified a life lived for others. His devotion to the 
greater Newton community could be seen following the crippling ice 
storm of December 2008. Despite suffering from severe pain caused by 
his yet to be discovered cancer, Deputy Baker was instrumental in 
coordinating efforts to help his community respond and recover from 
this major natural disaster.
  Deputy Baker's service can be neither overstated nor limited to his 
work with the Newton Fire Department. During the summer, Deputy Baker, 
who also owned a successful tree service business, would close his 
business to help fight wildfires across the United States and Canada in 
his capacity as a western wildland firefighter. Additionally, he served 
his State and country as a member of the National Guard in his younger 
days.
  Deputy Baker was always eager to share his loves of fire service and 
forestry with others. He would often sacrifice his own time for the 
benefit of others. You could often find him helping students study for 
an exam or teaching a class on fire attack. Deputy Baker's role as a 
mentor was something he held in high esteem, and by the number of 
firefighters and uniformed personnel who attended his funeral, it is 
clear that others also had a great deal of respect for what he 
accomplished.
  New Hampshire is proud of citizens such as Deputy Chief David Baker, 
and his countless actions are worthy of this distinction. He will be 
missed dearly by all those who knew him, and his generosity will be 
missed by all.
  I ask my colleagues to join me and all Americans in honoring Newton, 
NH, Deputy Fire Chief David A. Baker.

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